Everything to Know About Freight, Trucking & Shipping
Freight fundamentals and SCAC codes—simplified. A plain-English guide to help you ship with confidence.
This freight shipping guide explains LTL, FTL, air, and ocean freight in plain language. Learn how to choose the right mode, read SCAC codes, prepare accurate quotes, and prevent damage—so you can ship with confidence and avoid surprise costs from booking to proof-of-delivery.
Fundamentals
Shipping basics
- What is freight shipping? Transporting goods by land, sea, or air.
- LTL vs FTL: LTL shares a trailer with other shipments; FTL occupies the entire trailer for faster transit and minimal handling.
- Trucking vs other modes: Trucking for short-to-medium distances; rail for long distances and large volumes; air is fastest; ocean is best for large quantities.
BOL (Bill of Lading)
A legal document that serves as a receipt of goods, contract of carriage, and document of title.
POD (Proof of Delivery)
A document confirming that a shipment has been successfully delivered to the intended recipient.
Accessorials
Additional services beyond standard pickup and delivery, such as liftgate service or inside delivery.
NMFC Codes
National Motor Freight Classification codes used to categorize freight for shipping purposes.
Freight Class
A standardized classification system based on density, stowability, handling, and liability.
FOB (Free On Board)
A term indicating when liability and ownership of goods transfers from seller to buyer.
Services
Types of freight services
LTL (Less-than-Truckload)
Ideal for smaller loads that don’t require a full trailer.
FTL (Full Truckload)
Best when your shipment fills an entire trailer—faster and with less handling.
Intermodal & Multimodal
Combines modes like rail + truck for cost-efficiency.
Expedited & Same-Day
Time-critical deliveries with priority handling.
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Temperature-controlled shipping for perishables.
Hazmat & Oversized
Special handling, permits, and equipment for complex loads.
LTL vs. FTL at a glance
| Factor | LTL (Less-than-Truckload) | FTL (Full Truckload) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | ~1–6 pallets sharing trailer space | Loads filling most or all of a trailer |
| Transit time | Longer—moves through terminals | Faster—direct, point-to-point |
| Handling touches | More (higher damage exposure) | Fewer (lower damage risk) |
| Cost basis | Pay for the space you use | Pay for the whole trailer |
| Good fit | Smaller, flexible shipments | Large, fragile, or time-sensitive freight |
Reference
Understanding SCAC codes
A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a unique two-to-four-letter code that identifies a transportation carrier across shipping documents, TMS platforms, EDI messages, and customs records. Using the correct SCAC keeps your quotes, tracking, and paperwork consistent from booking to delivery.
How to read a SCAC code
- Codes ending in U usually identify containerized ocean carriers.
- Codes ending in X identify privately owned rail cars.
- Codes ending in Z often mark chassis or intermodal equipment providers.
How to find a carrier’s SCAC
- Check the carrier’s website, rate sheet, or Bill of Lading.
- Confirm it in writing with your carrier representative.
- Search the SCAC code list in the sidebar by carrier name or code.
Common SCAC codes by mode
- Maersk — MAEU
- MSC — MSCU
- CMA CGM — CMDU
- Hapag-Lloyd — HLCU
- FedEx Freight — FXFE
- Old Dominion — ODFL
- Estes Express — EXLA
- ABF Freight — ABFS
- Union Pacific — UP
- BNSF Railway — BNSF
- CSX — CSXT
- Canadian National — CN
Always confirm a carrier’s SCAC directly before using it on shipping documents.
SCAC Code List & Lookup
Search the Standard Carrier Alpha Codes (SCAC) for common ocean, trucking, and rail carriers, updated for 2026.
Showing 30 of 30 carriers
| Carrier Name | SCAC Code |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Container Line (ACL) | ACLU |
| Alianza | ANRM |
| Alaska Marine Lines (AML) | AKMR |
| Australia National Line (ANL) | ANNU |
| American President Lines (APL) | APLU |
| Arkas Container Transport S.A. (Arkas) | ARUU |
| CMA CGM | CMDU |
| COSCO Shipping Lines | COSU |
| Evergreen Marine | EGLV |
| Hapag-Lloyd | HLCU |
| Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) | HDMU |
| Maersk Line | MAEU |
| Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) | MSCU |
| Ocean Network Express (ONE) | ONEY |
| OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line) | OOLU |
| Matson Navigation | MATS |
| Yang Ming Marine Transport | YMLU |
| ZIM Integrated Shipping | ZIMU |
| FedEx Freight | FXFE |
| Old Dominion Freight Line | ODFL |
| Estes Express Lines | EXLA |
| ABF Freight | ABFS |
| Saia Motor Freight Line | SAIA |
| R+L Carriers | RLCA |
| TForce Freight (formerly UPS Freight) | UPGF |
| Union Pacific Railroad | UP |
| BNSF Railway | BNSF |
| CSX Transportation | CSXT |
| Canadian National Railway | CN |
| Canadian Pacific Kansas City | CP |
Tip: Codes ending with “U” typically identify container carriers. Codes ending with “X” identify privately owned rail cars. Always confirm a carrier’s SCAC directly before using it on shipping documents.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- What is LTL shipping?
- LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping moves smaller freight that shares trailer space with other shipments. It is cost-effective for loads of roughly one to six pallets that do not need a full trailer.
- What is FTL shipping?
- FTL (full truckload) shipping dedicates an entire trailer to a single shipment. It is faster and involves fewer touches, making it a good fit for high-volume, fragile, or time-sensitive freight.
- What are accessorial charges?
- Accessorials are added services beyond standard pickup and delivery—such as liftgate, residential or limited-access delivery, inside delivery, and appointment scheduling—that add cost to a shipment.
- What is a SCAC code?
- A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a short, unique code used to identify carriers on shipping documents, in TMS platforms, and in customs records so quotes, tracking, and paperwork stay consistent.
- What documents are commonly used in freight shipping?
- Common freight documents include the Bill of Lading (BOL), Proof of Delivery (POD), commercial invoice, packing list, and—for cross-border moves—customs paperwork and a certificate of origin when applicable.